August 16, 2011

OK, not really. But it is suing David Page, the creator of Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which is still kind of cathartic. Back in May, Page filed a lawsuit against the Food Network for alleged breach of contract, claiming that the network wouldn’t allow Fieri to tape more episodes and had tried to replace Page.

So in return, the Food Network has filed a $1.5 million countersuit against Page. According to The Hollywood Reporter, It alleges, among other things, that Page breached his own contract by failing to deliver footage on deadline and creating an “intolerable” work environment for the show’s staff.

According to the lawsuit, Page sent emails to members of his staff calling them “a vile uninformed piece of shit,” and containing such pleasantries as “you are one fucked up dumbass loser,” “I hope you die so I can dance on your fucking grave,” and “lets assume im a genius from now on…lets all assume i know what the fuck i’m doing…this is no longer a democracy.”

TFN’s suit claims that by September 2010, Page’s behavior had become so awful that his staff had to ask for changes in their work environment, a request Page allegedly refused. Should the network prevail in court, the staff of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives may get the chance to dance on Page’s fucking grave.

UPDATE: According to Minneapolis City Pages‘ Hot Dish blog, the Food Network has resolved its lawsuit with Page. Both Page and the network confirmed the lawsuit is over. Page will not be producing Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but the decision will not affect his other program, Outrageous Foods.